A man interacts with his ‘smart’ sex doll as he lays in a bed in his home in Guangzhou, Guandong Province, China. The smart sex industry is growing, and medical experts warn there’s no evidence to show their health benefits or risks.(Photo: ALEKSANDAR PLAVEVSKI, EPA-EFE)

The city council of Houston, Texas unanimously passed an updated ordinance Wednesday that effectively blocks a proposed “sex robot brothel” from opening.

A Canadian company that already operates an “adult love dolls rent before you buy service” in Toronto had hoped to open a location in Houston and even started construction before running into permit issues that halted work.

The company, KinkySdollS, sells and rents human-like dolls that can cost more than $3,000 each.

Prior to the council’s Wednesday vote, locals had organized to express their concerns; a petition speaking out against the business gained more than 10,000 signatures.

“A business like this would destroy homes, families, finances of our neighbors and cause major community uproars in the city,” said Pastor Vega, one of the speakers at the meeting.

“As a woman, I am concerned and horrified to see where our society is taking us,” Virginia Mireles said.

One council member said he planned to record the business’ patrons entering the building and shame them online.

That council member spoke out against the business: “I know there’s some people that will sit there and say, ‘What does the City of Houston have to do with any of this?'” said councilman Greg Travis. “And the answer is ‘We’re not getting into your bedroom, but don’t bring it into our district. Don’t bring it into our city. This is not a good business for our city. We are not Sin City.'”